Fuji Safari Park is one attraction families and animal lovers shouldn’t miss. Like Japan's famous Nara Deer Park, wildlife like lions, tigers and giraffes are allowed to roam freely here, among the scenic backdrop of Japan's highest mountain.

Visitors can choose to explore the safari on a rented 4WD sports vehicle for 5,000 yen (S$61), a ticketed bus tour, or in their private vehicle. If you're planning to save cost, opt to go in your private car as you would only need to purchase the park admission fees.

Do take note that only the guided tours allow visitors to feed animals from behind the safety of caged vehicles.

The park also includes the Fureai Zone, which visitors can explore on foot and interact with smaller animals like meerkats, red kangaroos and capybaras. click to download the map

Best way to get there
If you’re starting from Tokyo Station or Shinjuku Station, take the Odakyu Hakone Highway Bus to Gotemba Station. The journey costs 1,650 yen and takes around 1 hour and 40 mins. Once at Gotemba, take the Fujikyu, a fixed route bus. The journey is 35 minutes and costs 760 yen for a one-way trip.

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Hitachi Seaside Park is a massive nature park which features acres of different wild flowers every season. The park is well known for its 4.5 million blue petalled Nemophila in spring, tulips in April and the red Miharashi no Oka Kochia in autumn.

Visitors can explore the 190-ha park on foot or hop on a rental bicycle along designated cycling trails. The park also includes a Pleasure Garden zone where the more adventurous can indulge in amusement rides, a BMX Course and a mini family golf park. Visit the site

Opening hours
Mar 1 to July 20: 9.30am to 5pm
July 20 to Aug 31: 9.30pm to 6pm
Sept 1 to Oct 31: 9.30pm to 5pm
Nov 1 to end Feb: 9.30pm to 4.30pm

Best way to get there

Travellers who have already purchased the JR pass before their trip, may alight at Katsuta Station and take the Ibraki Kotsu bus to Hitachi Seaside Park.

Otherwise, the next best option is to take the Ibraki Kotsu Highway Express bus from the terminal at Tokyo Station. The bus stops at the park directly, but the journey is easily two hours along with a return fare of 3,800 yen.

Tickets can be purchased at the JR Bus Ticket Sales Office at Tokyo Station. It is recommended to buy the tickets before 9am.

From Tokyo, take the Chuo Line and transfer to the Ome Line (bound for Okutama) at Ome Station. Thereafter, alight at Mitake Station. It’s a 20 mins walk from the station to the town of Okutama. The whole journey should take less than two hours and costs around 1,200 yen.

If you’re travelling on the weekends or public holidays, board the Holiday Express Okutama train for a direct trip from Shinjuku to Okutama.

Japan’s fiery reputation for active volcanoes belie the beautiful nature of these mega landforms. In fact nearly 80 per cent of the archipelago is covered in mountains. Most of the popular ones even have cable car systems rigged up for those who prefer enjoying the scenic summit view without a sweat.

Mount Takao counts among the most popular and accessible mountain from central Tokyo. Although nature lovers recommend visiting in Fall, for the park's red and golden foliage, the mountain is open all-year round.

At 599m, the mountain is home to a monkey park, massive cedar trees and a 8th-century temple complex dedicated to Yakushi Nyorai, the Buddha of medicine and healing. There are three different trails to the summit, which will take around 1 hour and 30 mins to complete.

With its proximity to Tokyo, the summit opens to a breathtaking view of Mount Fuji on a clear day.

Admission
Free admission to the park, but a 930 yen round-trip fee applies for cable-car and chair-lift rides.